294
Opinion of Stevens, J.
from any other which may be imposed in this country. From the point of view of the defendant, it is different in both its severity and its finality. From the point of view of society, the action of the sovereign in taking the life of one of its citizens also differs dramatically from any other legitimate state action. It is of vital importance to the defendant and to the community that any decision to impose the death sentence be, and appear to be, based on reason rather than caprice or emotion." Gardner v. Florida, 430 U. S. 349, 357-
Ill. Const., Art. V, § 12, Ill. Comp. Stat., ch. 730, § 5/3-3-13 (1997); Ind. Const., Art. V, § 17, Ind. Code §§ 11-9-2-1 to 11-9-2-4, 35-38-6-8 (1993); Kan. Const., Art. I, § 7, Kan. Stat. Ann. § 22-3701 (1995); Ky. Const., § 77; La. Const., Art. IV, § 5(E), La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 15:572 (West 1992); Md. Const., Art. II, § 20, Md. Ann. Code, Art. 27, § 77 (1996), and Art. 41, § 4- 513 (1997); Miss. Const., Art. V, § 124, Miss. Code Ann. § 47-5-115 (1981); Mo. Const., Art. IV, § 7, Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 217.220, 217.800, 552.070 (1994); Mont. Const., Art. VI, § 12, Mont. Code Ann. §§ 46-23-301 to 46-23-316 (1994); Neb. Const., Art. IV, § 13, Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 83-1,127 to 83-1,132 (1994); Nev. Const., Art. V, § 13, Nev. Rev. Stat. § 213.080 (1995); N. H. Const., pt. 2, Art. 52, N. H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 4:23 (1988); N. J. Const., Art. V, § 2, ¶1, N. J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:167-4 (West 1985); N. M. Const., Art. V, § 6, N. M. Stat. Ann. § 31-21-17 (Supp. 1997); N. Y. Const., Art. IV, § 4, N. Y. Exec. Law §§ 15-19 (McKinney 1993); N. C. Const., Art. III, § 5(6), N. C. Gen. Stat. §§ 147-23 to 147-25 (1993); Ohio Const., Art. III, § 11, Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 2967.01 to 2967.12 (1996); Okla. Const., Art. VI, § 10, Okla. Stat., Tit. 21, § 701.11a (Supp. 1998); Ore. Const., Art. V, § 14, Ore. Rev. Stat. §§ 144.640 to 144.670 (1991); Pa. Const., Art. IV, § 9; S. C. Const., Art. IV, § 14, S. C. Code Ann. §§ 24-21-910 to 24-21-1000 (1977 and Supp. 1997); S. D. Const., Art. IV, § 3, S. D. Codified Laws §§ 23A-27A-20 to 23A-27A-21, 24-14-1 to 24-14-7 (1988); Tenn. Const., Art. III, § 6, Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-27-101 to 40-27-109 (1997); Tex. Const., Art. IV, § 11, Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann., Art. 48.01 (Vernon Supp. 1997); Utah Const., Art. VII, § 12, Utah Code Ann. § 77-27-5.5 (1995); Va. Const., Art. V, § 12, Va. Code Ann. §§ 53.1-229 to 53.1-231 (1994); Wash. Const., Art. III, § 9, Wash. Rev. Code § 10.01.120 (1994); Wyo. Const., Art. IV, § 5, Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-801 (1995). It is, of course, irrelevant that States need not establish clemency proceedings; having established these proceedings, they must comport with due process. See Evitts v. Lucey, 469 U. S. 387, 393, 400-401 (1985).
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